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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

May 18, 1996 · As AC 4 · N29HS

Hartford, WI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 18, 1996
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Hartford, WI
Aircraft
As AC 4
Tail Number
N29HS
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI96LA165

The pilot was performing aerobatic maneuvers in the glider. He reported that after executing a loop, he entered the glider into a spin. The pilot wrote that during the recovery from the spin the airspeed went above the never exceed velocity for the glider, and the glider developed severe airframe flutter. The pilot exited the glider at approximately 2,070 feet mean sea level, and deployed the parachute which he was wearing. The glider's composite skins on the horizontal stabilizer, elevator, left wing and fuselage sustained skin wrinkling and were delaminated in the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

lack of airspeed control by the pilot, while maneuvering.

Full Narrative

On May 18, 1996, at 1500 central daylight time (cdt), a Russian AS+LTD glider, N29HS, was substantially damaged after it collided with terrain, following an uncontrolled descent. The private pilot exited the aircraft during the uncontrolled descent and deployed the parachute which he was wearing. The pilot sustained serious injuries in the accident. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the local 14 CFR Part 91 flight, and no flight plan was filed. The pilot wrote on the NTSB form 6120.1/2 that he was performing aerobatic maneuvers in the glider. The pilot wrote that after executing a loop he slowed the glider down, and then entered the glider into a spin. The pilot reported that after executing approximately 300 degrees of rotation in the spin he began a recovery. The pilot wrote that the rotation stopped, but the airspeed went above the never exceed velocity for the glider during the recovery. The pilot wrote that the glider then developed severe flutter, and pulling back on the stick more caused the flutter to intensify. The pilot reported that jettisoning the canopy resulted in an uncommanded roll of the glider to inverted. After the uncommanded roll the pilot reported that he exited the glider at approximately 2,070 feet mean sea level. The glider's composite skins on the horizontal stabilizer, elevator, left wing and fuselage sustained wrinkling and were delaminated in the accident.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:00 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAs AC 4
Tail NumberN29HS
Aircraft CategoryGli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 46 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind240° @ 13 kt, gusting 18 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time20:36
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data